Topical Encyclopedia
Amram is a significant figure in the Hebrew Bible, known primarily as the father of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. He is a member of the Levite tribe, which holds a special place among the tribes of Israel due to its priestly duties and responsibilities.
Genealogy and FamilyAmram is the son of Kohath, who is one of the three sons of Levi, making Amram a grandson of Levi. This lineage is important as it places Amram within the Levitical line, which is set apart for religious service. The genealogical record in
Exodus 6:18-20 states: "The sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. The lifespan of Kohath was 133 years. Amram married his father’s sister Jochebed, and she bore him Aaron and Moses. Amram lived 137 years."
Amram's marriage to Jochebed, his aunt, is noted in the biblical text, which was not uncommon in the early genealogical records of the Bible. Jochebed is also of the tribe of Levi, further solidifying the family's Levitical heritage.
Role and SignificanceAmram's primary significance in the biblical narrative is as the father of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, three pivotal figures in the history of Israel. Moses is the central figure in the Exodus narrative, chosen by God to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage. Aaron, his brother, becomes the first high priest of Israel, establishing the Aaronic priesthood. Miriam, their sister, is recognized as a prophetess and plays a crucial role during the Exodus.
While Amram himself does not have a prominent role in the narrative events of the Bible, his legacy is carried through his children, who are instrumental in the formation of Israel as a nation and in the establishment of its religious practices.
Cultural and Historical ContextAmram lived during a time of great oppression for the Israelites in Egypt. The Pharaoh had decreed that all Hebrew male infants be killed to control the population of the Israelites, who were seen as a threat due to their growing numbers. It was during this period of persecution that Amram and Jochebed's son, Moses, was born. In an act of faith and defiance, they hid Moses for three months before placing him in a basket on the Nile, where he was discovered and adopted by Pharaoh's daughter (
Exodus 2:1-10).
LegacyAmram's legacy is primarily seen through the impact of his children on the history and faith of Israel. The faith and courage of Amram and Jochebed in preserving the life of Moses are seen as acts of righteousness and trust in God's providence.
Hebrews 11:23 commends their faith: "By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after his birth, because they saw he was a beautiful child, and they were unafraid of the king’s edict."
Amram's life and family are a testament to the importance of faith and obedience to God, even in the face of adversity. His lineage through Moses and Aaron continues to be a foundational element in the religious and cultural identity of the Jewish people and in the broader narrative of the Bible.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Amraman exalted people; their sheaves; handfuls of corn
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Amram(an exalted people).
- A Levite of the family of the Kohathites, and father of Moses. (Exodus 6:18,20) (B.C. 1571.)
- A son of Dishon and descendant of Seir, (1 Chronicles 1:41) properly "Hamram" =HEMDAN in (Genesis 36:26)
- One of the sons of Bani in the time of Ezra, who had married a foreign wife. (Ezra 10:34) (B.C. 459).
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Kindred of the High; i.e., "friend of Jehovah."
(1.) The son of Kohath, the son of Levi. He married Jochebed, "his father's sister," and was the father of Aaron, Miriam, and Moses (Exodus 6:18, 20;Numbers 3:19). He died in Egypt at the age of 137 years (Exodus 6:20). His descendants were called Amramites (Numbers 3:27;1 Chronicles 26:23).
(2.)Ezra 10:34.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
AMRAMam'-ram (`amram, "people exalted"):
(1) Father of Aaron, Moses and Miriam (Exodus 6:20Numbers 26:591 Chronicles 6:3;1 Chronicles 23:13); and a son of Kohath, the son of Levi (Exodus 6:18Numbers 3:19, etc.). It is not certain that he was literally the son of Kohath, but rather his descendant, since there were ten generations from Joseph to Joshua (1 Chronicles 7:20-27), while only four are actually mentioned from Levi to Moses for the corresponding period. Moreover the Kohathites at the time of the Exodus numbered 8,600 (Numbers 3:28), which would therefore have been an impossibility if only two generations had lived. It seems best to regard Amram as a descendant of Kohath, and his wife Jochebed as a "daughter of Levi" in a general sense.
(2) One of the Bani, who in the days of Ezra had taken a foreign wife (Ezra 10:34).
(3) In1 Chronicles 1:41 (the King James Version) for the properly read HAMRAN of the Revised Version (British and American) (chamran), a Horite, who inGenesis 36:26 is called HEMDAN (which see).
Edward Mack
Greek
2. Aaron -- Aaron, the brother of Moses... of Speech: Proper Noun, Indeclinable Transliteration: Aaron Phonetic Spelling:
(ah-ar-ohn') Short Definition: Aaron Definition: Aaron, son of
Amram and Jochebed
...Strong's Hebrew
6019.Amram -- the father of Moses, also an Israelite... 6018, 6019.
Amram. 6020 . the father of Moses, also an Israelite. Transliteration:
Amram Phonetic Spelling: (am-rawm') Short Definition:
Amram.
...6020. Amrami -- descendant ofAmram
... Amrami. 6021 . descendant ofAmram. Transliteration: Amrami Phonetic Spelling:
(am-raw-mee') Short Definition: Amramites. Word Origin fromAmram Definition desc...
Library
Concerning the Afflictions that Befell the Hebrews in Egypt...
... 3. A man whose name wasAmram, one of the nobler sort of the Hebrews, was afraid
for his whole nation, lest it should fail, by the want of young men to be...
Doubtful Fragments on the Pentateuch.
... blessed ruler, the chief of the prophets, and first of the apostles, or those who
were sent to the children of Israel, viz., Moses the son ofAmram, the son of...
The Ark among the Flags
... narrative are anonymous. We know that the names of 'the man of the house
of Levi' and his wife wereAmram and Jochebed. Miriam was...
How Moses Ascended up to Mount Sinai, and Received Laws from God...
... them to me for our common advantage; for it is not to be supposed that the author
of these institutions is barely Moses, the son ofAmram and Jochebed, but He...
The Book of Jubilees
... the cave of Machpelah on Mount Hebron; [264] the lingering of some of the Jews in
Canaan after this business of sepulture, and among them,Amram, who returned...
The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs.
... the nation. Levi then sketches his own family history, mentioning among
other facts thatAmram married his daughter Jochabed. He...
Appendix xii. The Baptism of Proselytes
... B.17 a). Benjamin,Amram, Jesse, and Chileb (the son of David) are said to have
died (only) through the sin of the serpent.' In other cases, also, Sammael may...
Ancestors of the Blessed virgin
... though the adjective ram , usually meaning materially high' or else proud', has
no obvious parallel in a proper name, except perhaps inAmram (the father of...
Thesaurus
Amram (14 Occurrences)... Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
AMRAM.
... It seems best to regard
Amram as a descendant
of Kohath, and his wife Jochebed as a "daughter of Levi" in a general sense.
...Amram's (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version ConcordanceAmram's (2 Occurrences). Exodus 6:20 AndAmram
took Jochebed, his father's sister, as wife; and she gave...
Jochebed (2 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Jehovah is her glory, the wife ofAmram, and the
mother of Miriam, Aaron, and Moses (Numbers 26:59). She...
Uz'ziel (16 Occurrences)
... Exodus 6:18 The sons of Kohath:Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel; and the
years of the life of Kohath were one hundred thirty-three years. (See RSV)....
Uzziel (17 Occurrences)
... Exodus 6:18 The sons of Kohath:Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel; and the
years of the life of Kohath were one hundred thirty-three years....
Izhar (10 Occurrences)
... Exodus 6:18 The sons of Kohath:Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel; and the
years of the life of Kohath were one hundred thirty-three years....
Kohath (30 Occurrences)
... Assembly, the second son of Levi, and father ofAmram (Genesis 46:11).... Numbers
3:19 The sons of Kohath by their families:Amram, and Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel....
Jizhar (7 Occurrences)
... Exodus 6:18 And the sons of Kohath:Amram, and Jizhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel.... 1
Chronicles 6:2 And the sons of Kohath:Amram, Jizhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel....
Joch'ebed (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Joch'ebed (2 Occurrences). Exodus 6:20 AndAmram took
him Jochebed his father's sister to wife; and she bore him Aaron and Moses....
Miriam (13 Occurrences)
... mir'-i-am (miryam; Septuagint and the New Testament Mariam; English Versions of
the Bible of the New Testament "Mary"): (1) Daughter ofAmram and Jochebed, and...
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